Passport rules...

Just back in from the fishing show in Detroit. It was nice to meet so many Americans seeking an outdoor adventure vacation in Northern Ontario. The passport issue was being talked about a lot. This is a matter of concern to tourist operators who rely heavily on American visitors. Those Americans will need a passport, not necessarily to get into Canada, but more importantly to get back home into the United States. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable. This will be amended in 2008 to require passports for all persons who enter the U.S. by any means; land, water or air. ( source:US State Dept. website). On the other hand, if you are a US citizen entering Canada from the United States, you need two pieces of identification. One should be a photo ID; the other should be a birth certificate. If you are a citizen of another country, you will need a passport. Full details are available at the Passport Canada website at: http://www.pptc.gc.ca/